Liquid atomizing devices

ABSTRACT

A liquid fuel atomizing device includes a tube through which air flows, a conical flow deflector at the downstream end of the tube, and nozzles for supplying fuel into the airstream adjacent the edge of the deflector.

mum Makes Patent @heshire 1 Mar. 28, B972 [54] LIQUHD ATOMHZHNG DEVICES 3,224,679 12/1965 Kear et a1 ..239/424.s x [72] Inventor: Alan G. Cheshire, Lane, England 3,231,201 1/1966 Jaekson ..239/399 [73] Assignee: Joseph Lucas (industries) Limited, Biry Examiner M' Hmson wood, It

mmgham' England Assistant ExaminerThomas C. Culp, Jr. [22] Filed: May 12, 1970 Att0rney-Holman & Stern [21] Appl. No.: 36,650 ABSTRACT A liquid fuel atomizing device includes a tube through which Cl ..239/424.5 air flows, a conical flow deflector at the downstream end of 581 Field of Search .239/4245, 425.5, 524, 405 the tube, and mules for pp y fuel into the airstream jacent the edge of the deflector. f [56] Re erences Cited 2 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure UNITED STATES PATENTS r 3,236,280 2/1966 Greinke ..239/405 X PATENTEDMARZB m2 3.652016 I I I I IIIIIIIIIJIII INVENTOR 1/, I an W NEYS LIQUID ATOMIZING DEVICES This invention relates to liquid atomizing devices for use, in particular, in the burners ofgas turbine engines.

A liquid atomizing device in accordance with the invention comprises a tubular body through which, in use, air is caused to flow, a conical flow deflector at the downstream end of the body, and nozzle means for directing liquid into the airstream adjacent the edge of the deflector.

An example of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing which is an axial section through a liquid atomizing device.

The device shown includes a tubular body formed by an outer sleeve 26 and an inner sleeve 25 defining between them a liquid passage 27 of annular cross section. The body is carried by a support 11 at one end of the body and a liquid inlet bore 12 in this support communicates with the passage 27. The passage 27 terminates adjacent the opposite end of the body at a wall 28 which is integral with the inner sleeve 25 and this wall is formed with a series of spaced nozzles 29 from which jets of fuel are directed from the passage 27 in use. The inner sleeve 25 has an internal rib 30 around its free edge against which these jets impinge so that fuel is dispersed into the airstream through the body in a converging sheetlike pattern.

Mounted in the body 10 at the end thereof remote from the support 11 is an air flow deflector 32 of conical form, supported by vanes 31 with its apex on the axis of the body and its free edge adjacent the rib 30.

Thus a conically expanding airflow pattern is established in the immediate vicinity of the deflector 32. The fuel is directed deflector and the airflow thus serves to break up the liquid sheet into small droplets.

The arrangement described is intended for use in an aircraft gas turbine engine in which the rate of airflow in and around the body and the pressure at which fuel is supplied vary considerably between starting conditions and full speed running conditions. The atomizing device described is capable of satisfactorily atomizing the fuel over the entire speed range.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A liquid fuel atomizing device for positioning in an airstream comprising: a tubular body formed by an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve defining between them an annular passage for liquid fuel, said inner sleeve being open at both ends so that in use, an airstream can flow through the body; a conical air flow deflector disposed at a downstream end of the body to deflect the airstream through the body; an annular wall bounding said annular passage at the downstream end of the body and formed with a series of spaced holes; an internal annular rib on the body, which is adjacent a free edge of the conical flow deflector and with which the holes in the annular wall are aligned so that liquid fuel issuing through said holes from the annular passage impinges against said rib so as to be directed into the airstream adjacent the free edge of the deflector.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular body is formed by an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve defining between them an annular passage for the liquid fuel. 

1. A liquid fuel atomizing device for positioning in an airstream comprising: a tubular body formed by an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve defining between them an annular passage for liquid fuel, said inner sleeve being open at both ends so that in use, an airstream can flow through the body; a conical air flow deflector disposed at a downstream end of the body to deflect the airstream through the body; an annular wall bounding said annular passage at the downstream end of the body and formed with a series of spaced holes; an internal annular rib on the body, which is adjacent a free edge of the conical flow deflector and with which the holes in the annular wall are aligned so that liquid fuel issuing through said holes from the annular passage impinges against said rib so as to be directed into the airstream adjacent the free edge of the deflector.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular body is formed by an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve defining between them an annular passage for the liquid fuel. 